Stereology Informatica is about the science of stereology. This is the
science of estimating or measuring geometrical quantities. Stereology
estimates things like volumes, areas, lengths, and the number of objects.
Simple examples are:

Volume of aggregate used in a construction.

Area of a wetland covered by year round water

Length of twigs within reach of deer

Number of cells affected by a virus

Each of these examples comes from a different field using stereology.
The volume example comes from the study of concrete. Suppose that a dam
is built and there is a requirement that all portions of the poured concrete
have to have a certain amount of additives mixed with the cement. Cores
can be drilled from various areas and studied. The cores can be refilled
with concrete. The area example comes from ecology. A wet area can have
very complicated waters with ponds that are interconnected with many streams.
Figuring out the amount of land covered by permanent water can be tricky
unless stereology is used. The amount of deer forage is of interest in
wildlife management. Deer are browsers and consume twigs. The amount of
forage is the same as calculating how many twig length is in reach of
the deer. One of the main applications of stereology today is the study
of cells and counting cells. This seems like a simple thing to do. All
of us have counted since we were very young. Counting cells is not that
easy, but solutions have been worked out by stereologists.

If you want to learn more about stereology, here are a few upcoming classes
and workshops in stereology.

This year there will be a course in stereology for arranged by
Prof. Dallas Hyde and Prof. Charles Frevert at the University of
Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, Washington, USA. The course
will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of performing
quantitative microscopy, focusing on stereology and the use of new
technology like whole slide imaging and digital image analysis as
tools for making stereological studies faster to conduct.

A course has been announced
at Centre de Regulació Genòmica in Barcelona Spain.
The course is being taught by: Hans Joergen
Gundersen, Jens Nyengaard, Carlos Avedaño, Luis M. Cruz-Orive,
Lars Pedersen, Gemma Pascual

March 27-30, 2007

A class in stereology has been announced in New
Rochelle, France. This class is being taught by: Vyvyan
Howard, Matt Reed, Gesa Staats de Yanes, Olivier LeJeune

The class held in San Diego is a hands-on course in design-based stereology
complete with:

presentations

exercises

demonstrations of a stereology system.

The class is structured towards the participant. This means that you
bring your problems with you, and share them with the instructors. The
goal is that you leave the class with a good idea of how to proceed with
your work. Here are the dates for this class.

Stereology Course 2007
October 30 to November 2, 2007

Society for Neuroscience meeting is
November 3 to 7, 2006
San Diego, California

Who should attend the class?

Anyone attending the Neuroscience meeting

Anyone that needs to be introduced to the concepts of stereology

Anyone who wants to rejuvenate their stereology skills.

The instructors for the course will be:

Jens Nyengaard

Hans Joergen Gundersen

Bente Pakkenberg

These instructors have taught many classes, both
here and in Europe, and are always interested in making sure that
you learn as much as possible. The course covers a wide range of material
that is adjusted to the needs of the participants. At a minimum the class
covers the following units of instruction:

Cavalieri estimator for volume estimation (point counting)

optical fractionator and physical disector for population estimation

nucleator for cell volume estimation

cycloids for length and surface estimation

basic calculations

In addition, the class also discusses related material such as:

tissue preparation

sectioning

other probes and estimators

The general instruction format is to alternate formal lectures with hands-on
activities. Early on, participants have the opportunity to present their
own research. This allows the instructors to adjust the content of the
workshop to the specific needs of the participants.

The class is limited to 25 participants to ensure that each participant
has ample time to ask questions directly related to their own research.
Time is set aside in the environment of the workshop to discuss ideas
amongst the participants. Time is also set aside for meetings with the
instructors for a more focused discussion of your needs.